Electrical connecter block



June 12, 1934. H. A. DOUGLAS ELECTRICAL CONNECTER BLOCK Filed April 6, 1932 L I/III H fi p (27"7" 0Z9 CZJ Zyd Patented June 12, 1934 PATENT OFFICE UNITED STATES 4 Claims.

This invention relates to electrical connecter blocks, and is adapted for use on motors, automobiles, radios, meters and the like.

Among other objects the invention aims to provide a simple and economical insulating connecter block upon which may be readily mounted a plurality of metallic connecters, each insulatedfrom theother, and each keyed to the block, so as to become ineffect an integral part thereof, and each afiording an electrical connection between two current conducting wires, for example.

The invention will be explained by reference to the accompanying drawing showing an illustrative embodiment thereof and in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved connecter block, parts being broken away and shown in section for clearness of description;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the structure of Figure 1 with parts broken away; and

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, parts being shown in elevation and showing the use of the block as a circuit continuing means between current conducting wires.

The illustrative connecter block comprises a plurality of insulating laminations, in this instance, the three laminations 1, 2 and 3, the laminations 1 and 3 constituting the outer surface of the block and the lamination 2 constituting an intermediate portion of the block.

The outer laminations 1 and 3 are here provided with a series of apertures therethrough such as the square apertures 4 in the lamination 1 and the square apertures 5 in the lamination 3. When the laminations 4 and 5 of each series are in register, as they are readily adapted to be placed, they receive snugly therethrough the square body portions 6 and '7 of metallic connecters 8. The body portions 6 and '7 of each connecter are shown integral -being joined together by a restricted central portion 9 which, in this instance, is cylindrical.

The intermediate lamination 2 has a series of restricted apertures therein adapted to register with the apertures 4 and 5 and to receive therein the restricted portions 9 of the connecters 8 to key the connecter to the block as presently described.

In the illustrative construction, the lamination 2 has a series of slots 10 therein which have their outer ends opening into an edge 11 of the lamination. 2. The inner ends of the slots 10 are desirably arcuate as at 12. These slots 10 are shown of a width substantially the diameter of the restricted portion 9 of the connecters 8 and the radius of the are 12 is substantially the radius of the portions 9. Furthermore, the are 12 is adapted to-be concentric with the restricted portions 9 when the laminations 1, 2 and 3 are secured together as next described.

The connecters and the laminations may be assembled to form in effect an integral connecter block by causing the square body portions 6 and 'l of the connecters 8 to be received in the square apertures .4 and 5, respectively, of the laminations 1 and 3, then slipping thelamination 2 between the laminations 1 and 3 so that the restricted portions 9 of the connecters 8 pass through the slots 10 and into the inner ends of the slots to be concentric with the arcs 12.

Next the laminations, which are coterminous, as clearly shown in the drawing, may be secured together for example by the hollow metallic rivets 13 which pass through all three of the laminations and are clinched upon the outer laminations 1 and 3. The connecter block may be mounted, if desired, upon any suitable support (not shown) by fastening means which may conveniently pass through the hollow rivets 13.

Thus when secured together, as just described, the connecters 8 are keyed to the connecter block by the intermediate lamination 2 and the entire assembly becomes in effect an integral structure.

Each connecter 8 may include terminal receiving sockets for metallic plugs such as 14 and 15 which constitute the terminals of current conducting wires 16 and 1'7, respectively. Such sockets are provided by the cylindrical bores 18 in each of the body portions 6 and 7 and the plugs may be, yieldingly retained therein by the detents 19 which are pressed into the bores by the coil springs 20 housed in a spring chamber 21 here shown integral with each of the body portions 6 and '7 and the interiors of which communicate with the bores 18. Thus each of the connecters 8 provides an insulated circuit continuing device between two current conducting wires. Obviously, by pulling firmly upon the wires they may be separated from the connecters 8.

Having described an embodiment of my invention, I claim:

ture therethrough registering with the first gether, whereby the connecter is clamped to the block.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the en larged portions of the connecter are of square laminations together.

4. An electrical and into said restricted aperture.

HARRY A. DOUGLAS. 

